The Last Laugh (1924)
(Der letzte Mann) by Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau
Screening with electronic soundtrack
original score Federico Gardella
original musical informatics Carmine Emanuele Cella
sound design and live electronics Tempo Reale
The Last Laugh (Der letzte Mann)
restored by Murnau Stiftung in the laboratory L’Immagine Ritrovata
screenplay Carl Mayer
cinematography Karl Freund
set design Robert Herlth, Walter Röhrig
original score Giuseppe Becce
cast Emil Jannings, Maly Delschaft, Max W. Hiller, Georg John
production Union-Film der Universum-Film AG (Ufa), Berlin
The man once respected as the doorman of Berlin’s Grand Hotel Atlantic is now old and frail. Removed from his post, he has been demoted to washroom attendant. Stripped of the uniform he was so proud of and mocked by his friends, he is now a disgrace to his family, and the world is collapsing around him as he experiences a social decline.
Murnau’s masterpiece marks a turning point in the history of cinema: while it retains the magnificent expressionist and grotesque horror tone of his better-known film, Nosferatu, it uses elaborate camera movements with the technique called “unchained camera”. Murnau’s energetic and flamboyant direction tells a story of nightmares, inner demons and social drama, leading to an almost satirical epilogue. A powerful soundtrack complements the visionary visuals perfectly.
